6 Counseling Majors To Choose From. What’s Your Calling?

Counseling is perhaps one of the most rewarding professions out there. It is a career that brings a positive change in the lives of both counselor and their clients. As a counselor, you’ll encounter people from all walks of life who will require your assistance in times of emotional need. Some could be struggling with crucial decisions in their lives. Others could be struggling to overcome a major trauma or loss. It’ll be your job to provide them with direction, support, and guidance. Through your work, you’ll be making an actual difference in the world. If you like the thought of helping others and want to pursue a meaningful career, then counseling is the right choice for you.

The path to becoming a licensed counselor starts with attaining a degree in psychology, counseling, or humanities. Aspiring counselors must then acquire a master’s degree and meet your state’s requirements to obtain licensure to practice as a professional. There are many majors you can pursue depending on your interests. We have compiled a list of a few to give you a head start in your journey to change the world.

School counseling

Counselors are required at every level of the education system to improve student outcomes. School counselors can help students progress academically as well as emotionally. They may work alongside teachers to devise strategies that encourage learning by evaluating students’ strengths, weaknesses, and needs. It is common for budding teenagers to deal with issues regarding self-esteem, confidence, and even trauma, thus finding it difficult to fit amongst peers. Hence, you can choose to enroll in an MS in Education – Crisis and Trauma online and expedite your path to becoming a student counselor in a hassle-free manner. The online mode of education allows you to create a personalized schedule that works best with your routine. As a school counselor, you can guide students struggling with their mental health, encourage them and help them find coping mechanisms. This will help them focus on their studies and emerge as confident professionals.

Addiction counseling

As a substance abuse counselor, you’ll be helping people overcome their destructive behavioral patterns. You’ll be dealing with people battling addictions, such as alcoholism or gambling, as well as patients with eating disorders, addictive sexual tendencies, and so on. You can establish a bond with your patients built on mutual respect and trust by providing judgment-free guidance. Addiction counselors are required to assist their patients with both crisis and long-term addiction management. This could mean providing immediate medical intervention or behavioral therapy to support recovery in the long run. 

Career counseling

The demand for career and employment counselors is on a constant rise as they help your professionals and students make life-altering career decisions. They assess people based on their skills, talents, interests, academic and professional experiences. Based on their evaluation, career counselors provide their expert opinion on what career direction they view best for their clients. They also assist their clients in finding employment opportunities by helping them build a stronger resume, working on their interview skills, and developing their self-confidence. 

Mental health counseling

As the name suggests, mental health counselors provide psychological care to those suffering from mental disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. They also deal with patients who have suicidal tendencies, job stress, self-esteem, and substance abuse issues. This counseling specialty requires extreme sensitivity and care since the patients you encounter are likely struggling on a deep emotional level. Mental illnesses are complex and multi-faceted; no two cases are the same. Therefore, counselors must get to the root of their patient’s issues and help them recover.

Rehabilitation counseling

Rehabilitation counselors work in various settings ranging from hospitals, schools, and social services to private rehabilitation agencies and clinics. They play a crucial role in helping patients with cognitive, physical, psychiatric, and sensory disabilities. The main goal is to assist patients in gradually developing skills that can help them live a normal life, get employment, and overcome mobility or other concerns. The counselor and the patient work together to establish a plan, create long and short-term goals and establish what steps must be taken to achieve the goals. It is an essential job as with your help patients learn how to cope with their disabilities and prevent them from disturbing their day-to-day life. 

Marriage counseling

Marital and family counseling requires you to help people resolve sensitive issues within their home and personal lives. Your patients could come to you for marital or pre-marital counseling. They can ask for your assistance in dealing with issues regarding communication, conflicts, divorce mediation, or troubles within their sex life. Some may even be dealing with abuse or struggling with raising their child. It is your job to decipher what is going on behind the curtain. You must provide a neutral and safe space for couples to share their concerns openly while helping them set new rules to get their marriage and family back on track.

Conclusion

The need for a counselor exists in almost every aspect of life. Even the best of us fall off-track now and then. By encouraging, motivating, and guiding, counselors can help us get back on our feet and regain our confidence. It is a thriving profession that pays well. So, what specialty piques your interest?